Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 379 



Rev. Mr. Choules, Geo. G. Smith, Esq., President of the Mechanics' As- 

 sociation, delegates from the American Institute, New Jersey, Flushing, 

 L. I., and New Haven. 



It was exceedingly fortunate for the Society, that the Hon. Mr. Everett 

 arrived early in the morning of the 19th, and he kindly accepted the invi- 

 tation extended to him. On his entering the Hall, the welcomings were 

 long and loud, which must have been gratifying, after an absence of five 

 years. 



A blessing having been invoked by the Rev. Dr. Codman, after tasting 

 of some of the refreshments of the evening, the President rose and ad- 

 dressed the company as follows : — 



Ladies and Gentlemen : — It has been remarked that our country's glory 

 is its cultured soil. 



The tilling of the earth was the first employment given by the Supreme 

 Ruler to the human race — it has ever been the first step to civilization, and 

 those nations that have been the most distinguished for their devotion to 

 this calling, have also been the most celebrated for literature, science, and 

 the fine arts. 



It is the foundation of all national and individual prosperity and wealth, 

 — the basis on which rest commerce, manufactures, and all the various 

 great interests that unite to make up the sum of human happiness, and in 

 the language of our own Washington, whose benign countenance seems, 

 from the canvas, [here the President pointed to Stuart's portrait,] to repeat 

 again — " It is the most healthful, the most useful, and the most noble em- 

 ployment of man." 



Horticulture and Floriculture, and their kindred branches, are but higher 

 and more advanced departments of the great science — the arts that teach us 

 to develop and improve the rich fruits and floral beauties that lie treasured 

 in the lap of mother earth, and to adorn and embellish her luxuriant bosom 

 with the endless diversity of her productions as she displays her ever-vary- 

 ing charms, in tree, fruit, and flower, from the lofty cedar of Lebanon, to 

 the humble lily of the valley. 



It were easy to cite a long list of the illustrious men who have bestowed 

 on this pursuit their distinguished approbation. Of poets who have sung 

 its praises, of theologians and philosophers who have extolled its virtues 

 and pleasures — of heroes and statesmen, and the master spirits of the world, 

 who, having received all the honor and glory that could be conferred on 

 them by their fellow-men, have retired to its calm and peaceful labors, to 

 spend the evening of a busy life, in the contemplation of all that is beauti- 

 ful and sublime in creation, and to enjoy "God's blessings as they spring 

 fresh from the earth." 



The recurrence of another anniversary suggests a review of the prog- 

 ress and condition of our institution. 



Sixteen years ago this day, its first exhibition was held in the Exchange 

 Coffee House in this city, and as an illustration of the great success and 

 prosperity that has attended the efforts of its members, I quote from the 

 published Report of the Society. 



